1989 tornado anniversary resonates severe weather awareness

It's been 23 years since an F-4 tornado touched down on Airport Road in Huntsville.

It's not a storm that many people can forget. Twenty-one people were killed, over 400 injured, and the storm caused $250 million dollars in damages.

The storm touched down just after 4:30, and it took less than an hour for the tornado to wreak havoc across North Alabama.

Outside, churches, businesses and homes were leveled. Rescue crews worked to free people who were trapped.

While most tornados happen in our area in the spring, there is a secondary peak season in October and November.

Now is a good time to start reviewing your family's severe weather plan. You can sign up for severe weather alerts that send texts right to your phone and can also learn how to program your severe weather radio on our website.